The changes come after four people, all from the one extended Melbourne family, tested positive to coronavirus yesterday. A fifth case, a man in his 60s, tested positive to the virus today.
The cases are across multiple households and at least one is believed to have been highly contagious during their exposure period.
Several states and territories now require interstate travellers who have visited any of the listed locations to get tested and self-isolate immediately.
Some states have also limited entry from Victoria.
Here is a state-by-state breakdown of how governments are reacting to the Melbourne cluster.
New South Wales and the ACT
Anyone who has visited areas of concern will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Anyone who has visited Melbourne since May 10 and has been to one of the listed exposure sites has also been urged to contact NSW Health to ensure they are meeting the state’s isolation and testing requirements.
ACT Health said residents who are already in or entering the ACT and have been to one of the close contact exposure locations in Melbourne at the dates and times specified must:
- immediately quarantine for 14 days since last attending the venue
- call ACT Health on (02) 5124 6209
- get tested for COVID-19, regardless of whether symptoms are present, as advised by an authorised person within ACT Health
Non-ACT residents who are already in the ACT must comply with the requirements for ACT residents above.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday said it is “way too early” to declare the suburbs around northern Melbourne a COVID-19 hotspot after the four cases were confirmed yesterday.
Ms Berejiklian said her team would continue to update the community with the latest information however details surrounding the cases remained “preliminary”.
“We’ve been down this road before, we need to expect outbreaks,” she said.
Anyone in Queensland who has been to one of the declared exposure sites in Victoria during the risk period specified is automatically required to quarantine.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young also urged people against travelling to Melbourne’s north.
“In light of these new cases, I urge everyone to reconsider their need to travel to Melbourne’s northern suburbs,” Dr Young said.
“From 1am Wednesday, if you are entering Queensland and have been to any of the Victorian exposure sites at the time specified, you will need to quarantine for 14 days in government-arranged accommodation.
“If you have been to any of these sites and are already in Queensland, you must immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine.
People entering Queensland will also need to complete the Queensland Health online contact tracing self-assessment form and get tested immediately.
Anyone who visited an exposure site in Melbourne is now banned from entering South Australia.
After 8.25pm on May 24, all people who have been at a tier one or tier two exposure site are now subject to level six restrictions, meaning they cannot enter the state.
The majority of these people should already be undertaking 14 days of quarantine in Victoria and are not permitted to leave.
Exemptions apply for people who are escaping domestic violence, but these travellers are still required to get tested and isolate.
People who arrived in South Australia prior to 8.25pm on May 24 who visited tier one and tier two exposure sites listed by the Victorian Government are now required to follow level four restrictions including the following:
- Must reside and remained quarantined and segregated from other people at a suitable place for 14 days.
- The person must submit to a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after arrival in South Australia and on days five and 13.
- Must wear a face mask which covers their mouth and nose at any time that the person comes in contact with the public for 14 days after their arrival into South Australia.
Anyone who had visited exposure sites in Victoria at the relevant times should get tested immediately for COVID-19 and quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure.
“We will continue to monitor the situation in Victoria very closely and issue updated health advice as and when required,” he said.
This content first appear on 9news